Gemini South Captures Toby Jug Nebula
A billowing pair of nearly symmetrical loops of dust and gas mark the death throes of an ancient red-giant star, as captured by Gemini South, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, operated by NSF’s NOIRLab. The resulting structure, said to resemble an old style of English jug, is a rarely seen bipolar reflection nebula. Evidence suggests that this object formed by the interactions between the dying red giant and a now-shredded companion star. The image was obtained by NOIRLab’s Communication, Education & Engagement team as part of the NOIRLab Legacy Imaging Program.
Credit:International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA
Image processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF’s NOIRLab), J. Miller (Gemini Observatory/NSF’s NOIRLab), M. Rodriguez (Gemini Observatory/NSF’s NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF’s NOIRLab)
About the Image
Id: | noirlab2320a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | July 13, 2023, 8 a.m. |
Related releases: | noirlab2320 |
Size: | 3476 x 2086 px |
About the Object
Name: | IC 2220 |
Distance: | 1200 light years |
Constellation: | Carina |
Category: | Nebulae |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 7 56 50.85 |
Position (Dec): | -59° 7' 34.92" |
Field of view: | 8.45 x 5.07 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 3.9° right of vertical |
Colors & filters
Band | Wave-length | Tele-scope |
---|---|---|
Optical g | 475 nm | Gemini South GMOS-S |
Optical r | 630 nm | Gemini South GMOS-S |
Optical i | 780 nm | Gemini South GMOS-S |
Optical H-alpha | 656 nm | Gemini South GMOS-S |